How People Learn and How Leaders Learn Ellen Goldring Peabody College, Vanderbilt University

Agenda Why Professional Principal Preparation? Theory of Change Goals How Principal’s Learn and Program Delivery Bridging Theory to Practice Tools for Learning and Practice Challenged Based Learning Modules

Why Professional Preparation: Conception of How Professional Preparation Influence Outcomes for Schools Professional Training and Preparation, Professional Development Teachers learning’ opportunities & instructional improvement efforts; school culture Leader Background Leadership practice & knowledge & Skills Student Outcomes Achievement School context: Student & Faculty characteristics 3

Program Goals The program’s purpose is to develop principals who are committed to and knowledgeable about, and can implement the following goals:  1. Embracing research-based ideas about good learning, 2. Recognizing high quality teaching and knowing how to sustain and nurture it, identifying what gets in the way of excellent teaching, and knowing what to do about it, 3. Data-based decision making, 4. Leading through vision and knowing how to work with their teachers to develop a clear sense of direction for their schools and a strategy to effect change, 5.  Working effectively as part of a team to develop and implement strategy, and 6. Viewing change as a process and a shared activity requiring the support and understanding of a broad group of constituents that includes community leaders, school staff, parents, and students, the school board, the superintendent and central office staff.

Professional Preparation is part of a System for Overall Reform Policy Levers Standards High quality personnel preparation Personnel licensure and assessments Ongoing professional development Incentives and personnel policies Conditions of work System evaluation and assessments High Quality Schooling Opportunities to learn High quality instruction High quality curriculum School instructional leadership Data systems: Monitoring progress and accountability Personalized learning cultures Coordination: Home, community, and school Professional culture Educational Research and Development

HOW

The Traditional Approach: Theory Bridged to Practice

Internship Innovative Approach: Integration & Strategic Connection Challenges of Practice Knowledge & Expertise Performance Based Assessment & Feedback Internship

What are TOOLS for Professional Learning? Prompt thinking and action Constrain and enable thinking and action in particular ways across settings and over time Help negotiate which actions to take toward meeting specified goals Specify parameters of acceptable conduct Communicate about norms of behavior (Brown, 1989;1991; Honig, 2008)

Types of Tools Conceptual: New forms of thinking and new knowledge Principles, frameworks, ideas Instructional leader, decision making, autonomy, Practical tools: New action Change practices, strategies, utility in context Leadership Assessment Tool School Improvement Planning Guide Teacher Observation Rubric

The Teaching & Learning Continuum Traditional Class Work Coaching & Mentoring Authentic Immersive Activity Observation Simulations Interview Shadowing Problem-based Practice

Goals of Challenge Based Learning and How People Learn Framework To Facilitate Learning That Is based in real-world challenges. Activates existing knowledge as a foundation for new knowledge. Demonstrates to and with the learner the new knowledge. Helps the learner apply the new knowledge. Helps the learner integrate this new knowledge into his/her school setting.

Challenge-Based Learning Challenges are simulated problems or dilemmas that focus on realistic, day-to-day issues, events, and scenarios that school principals confront Learning primarily take place through carefully crafted ‘challenges’. The challenges are deliberately designed to enable participants to learn how to assess a situation, determine what they already know and what they will need to know, and to learn how to identify and utilize sources of knowledge, skill and values that will enable them to wrestle with challenges productively. Familiarizes learners with situations and problems they will encounter outside the classroom Aims to prevent inert knowledge and promote transfer of learning by integrating content knowledge with problem solving

Challenge Learning Cycles: An Example of learner-centered design                                                           

Share Initial Thoughts Students post and discuss their initial thoughts about the challenge This serves to 1) surface students’ predispositions, 2) alert others to the different ways one might understand and address the problems involved 3) helps the instructor to identify teaching opportunities and challenges. Related research: generative learning (Wittrock), eliciting prior knowledge (Gagné), avoiding inert knowledge (Whitehead); social constructivism (Cole, Resnick); advanced organizers (Ausubel); setting personal goals for understanding (Alexander).

Examine Varied Perspectives and Resources Students examine and compare a range of perspectives and learning resources related to the problems to be solved. Related research: multiple representations-cognitive flexibility (Spiro); constructivism (Bruner); contrasting cases (Bransford & Schwartz); expertise, knowledge in depth (Alexander)

Types of Learning Resources Discussion of research by leading scholars (on DVD) Commentary on effective practice by distinguished educators (QuickTime on DVD) Texts, reports and articles (print and on-line) Examples of effective practice (web and DVD) Selected web sites Structured opportunities to interact with other students and the instructor on-line

Test Your Understanding Students take a brief examination on the content of the learning resources they were provided in order to hold them accountable and to increase the chance that student discussions to follow are informed. The instructor evaluates and provides rubrics that allow students to self-evaluate. Related research: Embedded assessment (Wiggins);scaffolding (Vygotsky);

Response to the Challenge: Discussion and Posting of Later Thoughts The response to the challenge involves two steps, both of which include interaction among students and between students and the instructor: 1. An open-ended discussion of a critical issue related to the challenge. 2. A draft and, following discussion, a redraft of the “final” response to the challenge. Related Research: authentic audiences and emerging understandings, (Vygotsky, Lave); social constructivism (Brown)

Integrative Application Each course requires students to use what they have learned from the course modules to solve an authentic problem in a school setting. For example, students must assess the adequacy of services being provided students with disabilities and recommend strategies for improvement based on research and noting the potential barriers to implementation.

Reflection To wrap up each course, students are asked to reflect, in writing, on what and how they have learned focusing on the differences between their initial thoughts (which they have posted) and their later responses to the challenges. Related Research: reflective practice (Schön); the development of metacognitive skills (Bransford,et al.)

Examples http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/fid/challenge.htm

Why Challenged Based Learning: How People Learn Learner-Centered Assessment-Centered Knowledge-Centered Community-Centered Frog is the leader, fish are the learners . Is he learner centered-did he try to figure out what are the pre-conceptions of the fish? Assessment centered-did not assess their learning? To see if they had misconceptions. Did Frog know what to teach? Knowledge centered, community cente4red—learning with other fish? What were frogs preconceptions about fish needed to know? Did Frog try to understand what fish was thinking? Unlearning?

How People Learn Framework

Learner Centered People construct new knowledge and understanding based upon that they already know and believe. Learning must address participants’ preconceived ideas and knowledge. What I learned connects well with what I know already. I learned how to solve real-life problems.

Knowledge Centered Can’t just start and stay where the learner is but need content—a body of knowledge. Access to multiple opportunities for learners to experience using foundational knowledge to solve problems. Simulated participants to intellectual effort beyond that required by most professional development. Encouraged participants to use multiple resources to improve their understanding

Community Centered Learning occurs in supportive settings that are structured to value certain norms that promote learning. Determine what learning is valued Asked participants to help each other to understand ideas or concepts. Formed "discussion groups" to facilitate learning. Asked participants to share ideas and experiences with others whose backgrounds and viewpoints differ from their own.

Assessment Centered Provides feedback so learners can revise their thinking and problem solving approaches. Opportunities for self assessment I got feedback about my performance that helped me to improve my thinking or understanding of the subject area I was encouraged to evaluate my work.

Changes in Learning from Data Analyses Depth of new insights Reference to a much wider array of knowledge Use of more ‘expert’ terminology Use of knowledge More relevant ideas Focused ideas Not rote learning, but interpreting the information and connecting it to problems at hand Language is solution focused-action oriented Participants see new knowledge as tools for solving problems